Warm ups 5.02.2017*How would you summarize the development of China over the past 40 years?

Lesson Objective:*identify major physical characteristics of Japan

*describe factors that encourage unity among Japanese people

Land of the Rising Sun*in ancient times, the Japanese believed there was no land or people to their east, so they had a special relationship with the sun and the rising sun

Making Inferences

*as we discuss major geographical features of Japan, try to make educated guesses of ways that it would affect the people living there

Some Pictures of Japan

Geography of Japan*Japan is made up of thousands of islands, many of them little more than rocks sticking out of the ocean

*most people live on the four largest islands

Geography of Japan*the islands are formed by an underwater mountain range

*only about 13% of Japan’s land is arable

Ring of Fire*Japan is part of the Ring of Fire, where there is a lot of volcanic and seismic activity

*Japan records more earthquakes than any other country (7,500 per year), 1,500 that are strong enough to be felt by people

Climates*if you put Japan along the east coast of the U.S., it would stretch from Florida to Maine

*What can you infer about its climate rom that information?

Monsoons and Typhoons*Japan has monsoons, or prevailing winds, that shift, causing a rainier season and a dry season

*there are also typhoons, which are hurricanes that originate in the Pacific Ocean

Ocean Currents

*How do you think the ocean currents would affect Japan?

Impacts of Geography

*based on all of the info we discussed about Japan’s geography, in what ways do you think it could impact people?

Brain Break!

People and Culture*Japan has one of the highest population densities in the world

*What role do you think geography plays in that?

Japanese Efficiency*Japan recycles about twice as much of their solid waste as the U.S.A. does

*as a result, the average Japanese person creates about ½ as much garbage as an American

Japanese Waste DisposalIn recent years, a typical area in Japan makes at least 12 distinctions between trash types---newspaper, cardboard, milk cartons, books and magazines, other "mixed" paper, rags, cans, bottles, PET bottles, other plastic, and then whatever doesn't fit into these categories is separated into burnable or non-burnable, with a few minor exceptions and additions. [Source: Kate Elwood, Daily Yomiuri]

Uniformity*Japan’s population is very homogenous; more than 99% of Japan’s population has ancestors that lived in Japan thousands of years ago

*the largest minority are Koreans, and they only make up 0.6% of the population!

Similar Religion*most of Japan’s people share similar religious beliefs and traditions

*there is a mix of Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucian ideals that play a role in Japanese society

Traits of the Belief SystemsShinto: worship of forces of nature and spirits of dead ancestors

Buddhism: seek knowledge, live selflessly and modestly

Confucianism: respect for elders and wisdom, and obedience to people of authority; importance of the common good

Homogenous, or Heterogenous?

*In your opinion, do you think it’s better to live in a homogenous or heterogenous society? Why?

Just for fun, if there’s time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPD_GHDtkWc